What are the goals of behavior analysis as a science?
Description, prediction, control
Description
A collection of facts about the observed
... [Show More] events that can be quantified, classified, and examined for possible relations with other known facts. (observation)
Prediction
When repeated observations reveal that two events consistently covary with each other. (correlation)
Control
The ability to predict with a certain degree of confidence. Independent variable is controlling the dependent variable (functional relation)
What are the assumptions and attitudes of science
Determinism
Empiricism
Experimentation
Replication
Parsimony
Philosophical doubt
Determinism
The universe is a lawful and orderly place in which al phenomena occur as the result of other events.
Science is predicated on the assumption of this.
Empiricism
The practice of objective observation and measurement of the phenomena of interest.
(Think of empirical research)
Experimentation
a controlled comparison of some measure of the phenomenon of interest under two or more different conditions in which only one factor at a time differs from one condition to another.
Parsimony
all simple, logical explanations for the phenomenon under investigation be ruled out, experimentally or conceptually before more complex or abstract explanations are considered.
Replication
repeating of experiments
Philosophical doubt
Continually questioning the truthfulness of what is regarded as fact.
What are the 7 dimensions of ABA
Behavioral
Applied
Technological
Conceptually systematic
Analytic
Generality
Effective
Behavioral
Behavior chosen must be the behavior in need of improvement, behavior must be measurable, and ask whose behavior has changed
Applied
Choosing behaviors to target that are that enhance and improve their lives
Technological
When all of a studies operative procedures are identified and described with sufficient detail and clarity
(ex: program protocols)
Conceptually systematic
Procedures and interpretations of how or why those procedures were effective should be described in terms of the relevant behavioral principle(s) from which they were derived.
Analytic
When the experimenter has demonstrated a functional relation between the manipulated events and a reliable change in some measurable dimension of the behavior.
Generality
If a behavior change lasts over time, appears in new environments, and/or spreads to other behaviors not targeted by the intervention
Effective
Improving the target behavior to a practical degree. [Show Less]